America 250 and Fourth of July Roundup
- Vero Minute
- 24 hours ago
- 2 min read
Then and now | Photo credit: Chris Cronin (left)
America turned 250, and Vero Beach marked the occasion the way it marks every Fourth: out in the water before the rest of the nation was even awake. Thousands waded off Sexton Plaza at sunrise in red, white and blue, a quarter mile out to the SS Breconshire, part of a tradition that started twenty years ago with a handful of Sunrunners and has since become the county's largest unofficial holiday. Read last year's story on the swim's history here.
The whole of Indian River County had been laying the groundwork for months. Six municipalities and a handful of local businesses sealed messages and present day artifacts into a vault at the Heritage Center, not to be reopened until the Tricentennial in 2076. The Heritage Center also got in the spirit with a themed colonial costume ball.
A special thanks to Vero Beach Councilmember Aaron Vos and Former City Clerk Tammy Bursick for making all of this happen!
The City of Vero Beach even signed a proclamation naming who gets to crack it open: Elias Dingle, son of Vice Mayor Taylor Dingle, who will be 51 when 2076 rolls around.
Meanwhile, Riverside Theatre gave its stage over to Stars & Service, a two-day celebration honoring Indian River's massive veterans community, with famous playwright Chris Clavelli on hand, who Executive Producer and CEO Jon Moses has tapped to solicit stories for Voices of Service, a Riverside original production and a first in professional theatre highlighting the stories of those who've served and those who love them.
Know a veteran or spouse with a story to share? Chris Clavelli wants to hear from you! Email voicesofservice@rtfl.org to share your story.
See some more photos below.
